# The Need to Promote Olfactory Health in Public Health Agendas Across the Globe

## TL;DR

This paper argues that olfactory health should be included in global public health agendas due to its impact on nutrition, mental health, and neurodegenerative diseases.

## Contribution

The paper highlights the lack of attention to smell health in public health policies and proposes actionable steps to address this gap.

## Key findings

- Olfactory dysfunction is common and linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
- Smell health is essential for nutrition and psychological well-being.
- Screening and education programs are needed to address olfactory dysfunction and reduce inequality.

## Abstract

A good sense of smell is essential for physical and mental health, and social wellbeing; however, across the globe, regardless of the setting, national public health agendas never consider smell health. This review aims to summarise the wide‐reaching impact of smell health in public health.

Narrative review of the literature has been undertaken by leading opinion figures in the field of olfactory health.

The sense of smell should be promoted as an essential pillar of health, as it enables good nutrition and cognitive and psychological well‐being. To improve smell health internationally, a focus on education and awareness, research and targeted public health policies is needed.

We recommend developing smell health educational programmes and awareness campaigns, introducing smell screening and developing and implementing smell health policies across sectors of society. Efforts are needed to ensure equity, diversity and inclusivity for all people, particularly given the current demographic as those seeking help are typically not from a diverse cross‐section of the community.

Olfactory dysfunction is common with negative health consequences.There are many medical conditions linked to olfactory dysfunction including neurodegenerative disease.Screening programmes are needed to detect olfactory dysfunction given it is a precursor of neurodegenerative disease.Education across the medical profession and wider public is needed to promote good smell health and to reduce inequality in those seeking careResearch to better understand the pathophysiology of olfactory dysfunction and to elicit new therapeutic options is urgently needed.

Olfactory dysfunction is common with negative health consequences.

There are many medical conditions linked to olfactory dysfunction including neurodegenerative disease.

Screening programmes are needed to detect olfactory dysfunction given it is a precursor of neurodegenerative disease.

Education across the medical profession and wider public is needed to promote good smell health and to reduce inequality in those seeking care

Research to better understand the pathophysiology of olfactory dysfunction and to elicit new therapeutic options is urgently needed.